Mechanism for severing molten glass



Sept. 14, 1937. F. L. o. wADsWoRTH 2,093,375

MECHANISM FOR SEVERING MOLTEN GLASS Original Filed Jan. 23, i933 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 14, 1937. F. o. wADswoRTH MECHANISM FOR SEVERING MOLTEN GLASSl Original Filed Jan. 23, 1933 Sept. 14, 1937; F. L. o. wADswoRTH MECHANISM FOR SEVERING MOLTEN `GLASS Original Filed Jan. 23, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Sept. 14, 1937 MEonANrsM Foa sEvEamG MoLTEN GLAss Frank L. 0. Wadsworth, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Ball Brothers Company, Muncie, Ind., a corporation of Indiana 3s claims. (c1. 49.-14)

This invention relates to improvements in the art of delivering successive charges of molten glass or similar material to the molds or other receptacles in'which they are subsequently shaped to final form and more particularly, to improve- 5 ments in the means for severing successive mold charges from a continuously flowing stream of glass, and is a. division of my copending application Serial No. 653,081, filed January 23, 1933.

In general, the main object of this invention is to provide an improvement in a shear mechanism which will operate at such high speeds that it will eliminate the necessity of retarding or arresting the flow from the feeder, whereby the speed of delivery operation may be increased and im prove the character of ,the successively delivered mold charges. Stated more specifically, it is the purpose of the present invention to provide a shear mechanism for cutting successive mold charges from a constantly flowing stream which will operate at such speed that there is no opportunity for the oncoming glass to pile up on the shear blades and unduly heat the same; that will not chill the sheared stub; and that prevents any sensible loss of time in the cutting-off operation and the delivery of each mold charge and the beginning of the formation of the succeeding charge.

These and other objects which will hereinafter 3o be made apparent to those skilled in this particular art are accomplished by means of this invention set forth in the following description of an illustrative embodiment thereof which is depicted in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figs. I, II, and III are semi-diagrammatic illustrations of the general method of procedure which I follow in the practice of this invention, and of the main parts of the apparatus which I employ in this practice.

Fig. IV is a vertical section, on a central longitudinal plane, of one of the structural embodiments of my improvements; Fig. V is a partial horizontal section, on the plane V-V of Fig. IV of this construction; Fig. VI is a front elevation of this apparatus as viewed at right angles to the sectional plane vof Fig. IV; and Fig. VII is a detail side View (partly in section) of a part of the construction shown in Fig. VI. f

Fig. V'IIIl is a sectional elevation on the planev VIII--VIII of Fig. VI--of a new form of shearing or severing mechanism which I preferably employ in conjunction with my improved feeder; Fig. IX is a plan view of this mechanism; Fig. X is a sectional elevation on the plane X-X of Fig. IX; Fig. XI is another sectional elevation on the plane XI-XI vof Fig. X; and Fig.,XII is a greatly enlarged cross section of the shear blades in their closed, or cutting position.

Figs. I, II, and III diagrammatically illustrate the major features of my present improved method, or mode of procedure, for feeding glass from a main source or parent body of the molten material; and generally described, this method comprises; the segregation, or partial confinement, of a relatively small portion (A) of glass, 'in the interior of an inverted cup or bell-such as that indicated by B-which is positioned with its lower open end above a delivery orifice (F) in the floor of the receptacle, o r chamber C that contains the parent body of material; and which is capable of vertical reciprocation in a line substantially parallel to the axis of this orifice; the trapping or confining of a fixed or predetermined quantity of elastic fluid (e. g. air) in the space (D) between the upper surface of the segregated mass (A) and the upper 'end of the cup or bell (B) and the varying of the ment of the container, which concurrently varies the area of th opening or passageway G leading from the main receptacle to the segregation chamber in the cup or container (B).

More specifically described the procedure is as follows: At some definite position, or point of movement, of the reciprocable bell, the stop cock E-which is located in a small pipe connection, e, that leads from the upper end of the bell to a suitable source of elastic fluid (either the external atmosphere, or a tank containing compressed or rareed air)-is momentarily opened and a fixed mass or quantity of this elastic fluid is thus admitted to the space above the glass in the segregation chamber. The cock is then closed, thus trapping this predetermined amount of fluid in the closed upper end of the bell; and the up and down movement of the latter then tends to progressively increase or decrease the volume (and consequently diminish or augment the pressure) of this confined body of fluid and correspondingly raise or lower the level of glass in the segregation chamber.

It will be clearly understood that this action is not dependent upon any mechanical adhesion of the molten material to the surface of the reciprocating container (B)-which is the major factor in the operation of the sticky plunger feeder nor is it due to any alternate admission and withdrawal of air, to and from, the bell cavity-which is the controlling effect in the operation of the UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlrzE?.4

ordinary air fe'eder-but is due primarily (and 'in certain cases solely) to the maintenance of a let F; and consequently regulates both the weight and the shape ofeach charge of glass which is cut of! from the outfiowing stream by. the severing Y mechanism.

If the cock E is opened to the external air when the bell B is in any definite position or point in its movement-e. g. the positions shown in Fig. I-the glass in the segregation chamber will assume, or tend to assume, the same `level (H) as that in the main receptacle. If this cock is turned so as to put the space, D, in communication with a reservoir containing air under pressure, the corresponding level oi' the glass in the chamber will be depressed (as indicated by the dotted line H1), but if this reservoir contains rareed air, this level will be raised (as indicated by the dotted line Hz) This level (H, Hi or Ha) which is established by the momentary opening of the cock E at a predetermined position of the bell-may, for convenience. be termed the starting level or the neutral level of the glass in the segregation chamber. In this position glass is flowing from the main body of material, under the lower edge of the bell-through the passage G-and out through the orice F under the action of gravity alone; and this gravity flow has no effect on the glass in the segregation chamber unless the passageway G is so restricted as to 03er a relatively high resistance to the movement of the molten material. But when the cock E is closed and the bell B is moved downward-toward the position shown in Fig. II-the nxed mass of trapped fluid in the chamber D exerts a dynamic pressure on the mass of glass below it, and thereby supplements the effect of gravity in accelerating the outflow from the delivery opening.

The increased pressure on the glass in the downwardly moving cup or bell B. will force a portion of the segregated mass outwardly through the passage G, and back into the parent body of material in the main receptacle C-in opposition to the gravity flow from the said parent body to the outlet F-but this reverse iiow will be progressively reduced, and the percentage of pressure induced flow through F progressively augmented, by the continued reduction oi.' the area of the passage G by the downward movement of the container. At the end of the downward movement-when the end of the container is close to the floor of the main receptacle-the flow of glass through the passage G 'is almost completely arrested and the discharge of glass from the delivery outlet is controlled almost entirely by the pressure in the chamber D. 1

If molten glass had no viscosity and no inertia-or if the movement of the container is relatively slow--the depression of the level in the downwardly moving bell would (in accordance with the laws of hydrostatic equilibrium) besubstantially the same as that downward movement itself. But owing to the fact that glass at its normal working temperature is quite viscous-and therefore oiers a substantial resistance to any rapid current movements-and owing to the further fact that glass is much heavier than water; the movement of the material in the segregation chamber will lag behind the movement vcompressed fluid (D) in the segregation chamber.

In this respect the results obtained by my improved mode of procedure are different from, and superior to, those obtainable by the use oi a reciprocating plunger which throttles, and to that extent retards the discharge of glass from the delivery outlet during the latter portion of the down st`roke, and which does not have, and cannot have. any expelling action after the downward movement ends. n

When the cup or bell begins to rise it will tend to relieve or reduce the pneumatic pressure on the glass immediately above the orifice. and this will diminish, but will not arrest, the outiiow therefrom under the action of gravity. This diminution in the rate of discharge .',will result in a corresponding contraction, or a natural pecking, of the flowing stream, so that it may then be more readily severed by the cutting mechanism. But this momentary diminution or retardation in the outflow of glass from the segregation chamber (A-D), will be quickly compensated. or corrected, by the rising movement of the bell which increases the area of the passageway G, and thus permits a free iiow of glass to the delivery orince (as well as into the segregation chamber) from the parent body of material in the surrounding chamber C. The resultant increase in the momentarily diminished discharge of material will occur more promptly than in .the standard type of air feeder" (such, for example, as is illustrated in the Hitchcock or McCauley Patents Nos. 805,088 and 1,322,318)- where the ratio between the areas of the discharge orifice and the supply passageway to the segregation chamber remains constant, and where the positive withdrawal of the air from the air bell results in the complete arrest, or even a reversal of the delivery ilow: and it will also occur more quickly than in the standard type of sticky plunger" feeder (e. g. as disclosed in the Brookeld, or Morrison Patents Nos. 836.297

and 810,167) where the upwardmovement of the plunger may and, as a rule does, result in the arrest and the lifting of the glass between the shearing plane and the outlet orifice.

The operation of my improved feeder is thus broadly distinguished from the action of previous forms of "forced now feeders-of either the reciprocating plunger or the iluid impulse type`in which there is a complete arrest or even a reversal of now at periodic intervals: and a consequent loss of time, and an accompanying decrease in delivery capacity during such intervals.

Referring now to the form of construction shown in Figs. IV, V, VI, and VII; i indicates a forehearth extension or dog house, which extends out from the front of a glass melting tank 2, and which is provided near its front end with a submerged delivery outlet F; and which is also provided with gas or oil burners I-l, etc.. for maintaining the glass inthe forehearth at the desired working temperature.

ported, by an adjustable bracket, on the guide p The reciprocable cup or bell B,'which is positioned above the discharge orifice F comprises a refractory cylinder of ilre clay or other suitable materiaL'which is provided at its lower end with a frusto-conical segregation or collection chamber A; and which is grooved at its upper end to receive a split champing ringv 8, that is adjustably attached and secured to, the anged collar coupling 1, by the interdigitated set of leveling screws and Iclamp bolts 8 9, 8-9, etc. 'I'he parts'B--B and 1 are further held in their proper concentric or axial association by the tubular bolt I0 whose head engages with the upper wall of the segregationchamber A, and which projects through the lower flange of the coupling 1 to receive an elongated sleeve nut II that is screwed down against the said flange `after the coupling and ring members 6 and 1 have been adjusted and clamped in their desired relationship.

In order to retard the escape of the heated gases from the forehearth chamber I through the opening around the reciprocable bell B- (and thus aid in shielding the ring and coupling con, nections, 6-1-8-9 etc., from the heating and corrosive effects of these escaping gases) I preferably provide the roof blocks of the dog house with downwardly extending portions I2,'which are formed with an enlarged opening I3, of substantially greater diameter than that of the member B; and close the upper end of this opening (I3) by means of an annular cover ring or collar I4, which fits closely around the external periphery of this reciprocable member. The annular guard chamber I3 thus formed, communicates, at its rear side (next the tank 2), with an inclined i'lue I5-which is formed-by the channeled roof blocks I6 and the refractory tiles I1- that leads to the vertical stack I8 on the front wall of the glass melting tank 2. In order to further protect the metal supports of the reciprocating bell against any residual escape of gases through the clearance space between the parts, B-I4, I may also provide a rectangular sheet metal hood I8, which surrounds the ring and collar assembly, 6-1, etc., and which is connected at one side (by a sliding joint with a stationary supply pipe 2I, that leads to one of the usual low pressure air cooling ducts of the forming. machine assembly. The current of cooling air which is thus discharged into the guard box I9 escapes therefrom through a vertical vent tube, 22, which may,if desired, be connected, by another sliding joint, with a stationary pipe 23 (see dotted lines) that leads to the ue I8. If this last described arrangement is used the ejector action of the current of discharged cooling air will aid the natural draft of the stack flue I8, in drawing away the hot gases that enter the guard chamber I3 and in preventing their escape past the -cover ring I4.

'Ihe upper head of the centering coupling 1 is bolted rigidly to the lower flanged end of a hollow shaft 24, that is rotatably mounted in a reciprocable cross head frame, which comprises; the central tubular member 25, the two pairs of transverse bars, 26-26, 21-21, and theA two cylindrical side sleeves 28-29, and which are adapted to be moved up and down, on the vertical guide rods 30-3I, by any suitable means. .In the construction, as here shown, the reciprocatory mechanism'comprises an air cylinder 32 which is de- 4tachably secured to one of the guide members 30;

and a walking beam 33, which is fulcrumed, at

^ 34, on a rocking link member, 35, that is suprod 3|. 'Ihe walking beam is pivotally connected, at its center, with the reciprocable cross head `frame, by the removable trunnions 3121: and

is detachably engaged, at its free end, with a collar 38, on the piston rod 38. The walking beam 33' is also preferably provided with an extension arm .which carries 'an adjustable counterweight. 4l, that serves to partially or completely balance the weight of the cross head frame and ofthe bell and bell supports carried thereby.

The reciprocation of the above described assembly is effected and controlled by the alternate admission and exhaust of compressed air to and 'from opposite ends of the cylinder 32, (through the pipe 'connections 45-46) by the usual form of timer valve mechanism that is actuated by a cam 48 on the motor'drlven shaft 49. The length of stroke of the cylinder piston-and the upper and lower limits of that strokemay be varied, and determined, by two adjustable stops, 50 and 5I, which are adapted to engage the head 38 on the piston rod 39; and.l thereby arrest the movement of the reciprocating bell support at any desired and preadjusted points in its travel. These stops are carried by a rod 52, which is slidably mounted in a boss 53 on a cylinder block 32. The `upper end of this rod is threaded to receive two lock nuts 54-54 which clamp the upper stop 5I in any desired position on the rod; and the lower end thereof is similarly threaded to receive two other lock nuts 55-55, that serve to secure the rod itself in any desired position in the boss 53. pinned or clamped in a fixed position on the rod; so that the length of stroke can be varied-Without changing the lower limit of movement-by adjusting the upper stop alone,or the lower limit of movement may be changed-without altering the length of strokeby turning the lock nuts 55-55, and thus bodily raising or lowering the rod and stop assembly as a whole. concurrent adjustment and setting of both pair of lock nuts, 54--54 and 55--55, will regulate both -the extreme movement and the uppermost and lowermost positions of the reciprocating bell,

The lower stop 58 is preferably within such limits as are imposed by the maximum extent of piston travel.

'I'he upper end of the hollow'bolt I0 is connected, by the sleeve nut II, with the adjacent lower end of a small pipe 68, which passes upward through the hollow shaft 24 and is centered and supported, at the point where it leaves this shaft, by the threaded collar 6I. This pipe is closed at its upper end, but is provided with a small side port 62 that is positioned a short distance below the end closure. The upper portion of the pipe 60 is slidably engaged Withan open ended sleeve 63 which is of sufficient length to permit this reciprocable member (which performs the functions of the element e of Figs. I, II, and III) to travel through its extreme range of movement without uncovering the port 62. The sleeve 63 is provided with a narrow circumferential groove 64, which opens into a surrounding"i annular chamber 65, that is formed in the enlarged central portion of the sleeve; and this chamber communicates with the external air through a lateral port opening that can be opened or closed by the manually operable valve 66. The sleeve is suspended from an overhead frame, 61--68-68,

cally establish a momentary connection (through the groove 64 and the port 82) between the sleeve chamber 65 and the interior of the moving bell. The ducts or passages in the hollow suspension links 9`|l are connected, at their lower ends, with the sleeve chamber by means of the elbow couplings, 1 I-ll; and are also connected. at their upper ends. with the hollow (pipe) arms ll-Il, by means of the elbow joints 12-12. The opposite extremities of the arms ll-OI are, in turn, coupled to the fixed ends of two independent iluid supply conduits 1I (one of which appears in Fig. VI) by a second pair of elbow joints (1l-14) which are similar to those (l2-12) shown in Fig. VII which also serve as a pivotal support, or fulcrum. for the frame assembly 81-68 etc. The tubular links N and 1l are provided with manually controllable valves, Il-1B, which serve to open' fluid supply conduits 18; this periodic equalization being automatically effected whenever the port 62 in the pipe Il is brought into registry with the groove M in the sleeve Il.

In order to vary the point in the bell movement at which the equalization last referred to is brought about-either at the beginning of the operation, or periodically during each up and down stroke of the reciprocating members-the frame 01-88 may be rocked up and down, on its fulcrum support (at 14) by means of a link and lever connection ll-Ii-IL and the hand wheel I3. which is rotatably supported on a bracket M extending from the lower end of the rod member 52 and which is threaded to engage the adjacent end of the link 82. This system of connections permits of the independent adjustment of the sleeve member (t2) with respect to the reciprocable members (B-M etc.)-so as to establish a desired pressure, (and trap a predetermined quantity or massof elastic fluid) in the bell chamber (D) at any predetermined point in the up and down movement of the latter-.or of a conjoint adjustment of the sleeve member and the bell members, such as may result from the resetting of thevlock nuts 55-56, and the consequent variation and regulation of the lower limit of bell movement.

It is a further purpose of my present improvements to establish and maintain substantial uniiormity of temperature in the outflowing stream of molten glass. In order to accomplish this object I preferably use a forehearth which is relatively short (i. e. which extends only a small distance from the front wall of the main tank), and which is provided (as shown in 111g. IV) with an upwardly inclined roof portion li that permits me to secure a large unobstructed opening between the forehearth chamber and the large main tank chamber, in which the temperature conditions are less subject to sudden fluctuations-and are less affected by outside influences-than is the case in a relatively small, and more or less isolated, extension thereof. The flow of glass from the main tank to the forehearth is, in this case, controlled or throttied by a floating skimmer" block 81, which is normally held away from the threshold of the forehearth floor, by any suitable means. but which can, when occasion arises. be allowed to move up against this threshold and thus shut oi! entirely the further flow of glass thereover.

The up and down movement of the bell B serves to agitate and stir the mass of molten glass in which it is immersed, and thus aids in maintaining uniformity in temperature conditions therein. 'I'his effect may be supplemented. if desired, by also imparting a rotary movement to the reciprocating member B. This is accomplished by providing the upper end of the supporting shaft Il with a spur gear, Iii, which is operatively connected with an elongated spur pinion ll, on the motor shaft 49, by means of the two idle gears Il, l2 thatare rotatably mounted on, and carried by the cross head frame members, 21-21-2l etc.

One of the features of operation which is characteristic `of my improved feeder is the elimination of any intervals of completely arrested flowor of any lifting of the glass with respect to the severing means-and this makes it desirable to provide a shear mechanism (for cutting off successive mold charges from the constantly flowing stream) that will operate with such speed that there is no opportunity for the oncoming glass to "pile up" on the shear blades and unduly heat the latter. One form of shear mechanism which I hav designed `for use in connection with my new feeder (as another part of my present improvements) is shown in part in Fig. VI, and is illus.

trated in detail in Figs. VIII, IX, X, XI, and XII.'

In this construction the two shear -blades Il and It are adjustably and detachably mounted on two arms or heads lI-u, that are respectively secured to, and revolve with', a vertical shaft |00 and a concentricy tubular sleeve Ill, both of which are rotatably supported in the long bearing member |02. A bevel pinion III is keyed. or otherwise suitably attached to the lower end of the shaft l, and a second bevel pinion |04 of the same pitch diameter is secured to the upper end of the sleeve IM, and to the adjacent portion ofthe head l carried thereby; and both of these pinions are engaged by an intermediate bevel gear i, which is revolvably mounted on a fixed horizontal stud shaft |06, that is supported, at one end, by the bearing member |02. and at. the other by another portion lill of the bearing frame (J). Ihe peripheral edge-of this gear (|05) is provided with an annular collar Ill, that is detachably secured thereto in any suitable manner; and the hub of the said gear forms a bearing shaft for a short crank arm III, which carries a multiple toothed pawl H2, that is adapted to engage with the inner toothed face of the collar Ill. The forked end of the crank vmember III is connected, by the link III, with the reciprocable piston member III of a fluid pressure cylinder Ill,

which is mounted at one side of the frame support (J), and which is engaged at its open end by an annular U-shaped head Ill. that lmay form an integral part of the said support.

The closed end of the cylinder I Il is connected, by the conduit III, with a suitable source of compressed fluid, which is admitted to, and exhausted from, the piston chamber by the action of a timer valve mechanism lli, that is actuated by a cam |22 on the motor shaft Il (see Fig. VI), in proper synchronism with the previousiy described timer device "-0. A dmc valve |23, which is normally held open by a spring |24, is interposed between the end of the conduit |20 and the rport opening |25, Aat the rear of the piston |I4; and the stem of this.`

valve is engaged by a lug |26 on a lever I2'| that is pivotally supported (at |28) on the frame J. The free end of this lever |21 carries a cam wheel |30, which engages with a four lobe cam surface (|3I--I3I etc.) on the edge of the collar |I0. The valve box extension, which contains the valve element |23 and the port passage |25, is further provided with a small auxiliary piston chamber |32, which is connected at its front end lwith the passage |25 by a branch port |33;

and the stem of the enclosed piston, which vis held in its advanced position by the spring |35, is engaged by an intermediate slotted portion of a lever, |36, that is pivotally mounted, at 131, on the main cylinder II5. The other extremity of this lever is flexibly connected to a bar pawl |38, that is slidably mounted in a lug on the cylinder head |I6, and is adapted to engage with rectangular recesses |40-I40 etc. on the rim of the connected collar and gear elements I05--I I0.

The above described assembly is supported, as a unit, on a heavy angularly adjustable arm |42 which can be rigidly clamped, in any desired position, on one of the posts (4) that carry the forehearth frame and the vertical guide 3| (see Fig.- VI); and in order to provide for a vertical setting of the shears, with respect to the delivery orifice F, the end of this arm is slotted to receive the stud bolts I43-I43 that serve to clamp the cylinder block I|5 to the shear frame J, and to also clamp the said frame to the arm support |42. This arm is preferably so adjusted, on the post 4, that the vertices, or central points, of the notched shear blades 95-96 will meet and cross on the axis, y, of the flowing stream of glass; but this adjustment may be readily varied to shift this point of intersection to one side, or the other, of the said axis. In order to facilitate the up and down movement of the shear mechanism-toward and from the flow opening F--the arm |42 may be provided with a threaded lug |45, which carries a capstan headed screw |46 that engages with the lower edge of the frame J.

The operation of my improved shear mechanism is 'as follows: During the formation of each mold charge-in the manner previously described-the rear end of the cylinder II5 is opened to the atmosphere (by the action of the timer valve mechanism I2 |-|22), and the piston |I4 is then drawn back against this end, by the pull of the two tension springs I 4'I-I41 which are attached to the lateral extension |48 of the connecting arm I I3. The initial adjustment of the parts is such that, at this time, the axes om-o of the two shear blade arms are preferably positioned in the same vertical plane, and the shear blades are held at a point |80 degrees from the axis, y, of the flowing stream of glass.

'I'he gears |03, |04, and |05 are so engaged -vthat, in this position ofthe shear blades, one of the notches |40, on the periphery of the collar I|0, is in'registry with, and is engagedV by the end of the pawl bar |38; and the engaged parts are thus locked against movement. At this time of locked engagement the cam wheel |30 is riding in one end of a depressed portion of .a cam groove |3I; and the check valve |23 is held open by the spring |24.

When it is desired to sever the completed mold charge the actuating fluid is admitted to the rear end of the main cylinder II5, and to the front endof the auxiliary cylinder |32 (by the action` of the timer valve mechanism I2I|22), and

' acts, first, to withdraw the pawl |38 from the collar I|0, rotates the gear |05, in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. VIII) ,and correspondingly revolves the .shear arms and shear blades in opposite directions about the axis, o, of the concentric shaft and sleeve elements |00|0|. This rotary movement of the cutting elements causes the oppositely rotating shear blades to meet and cross each other on, or near, the axis of the owlng stream, and to sever the latter at' the time when the blades are traveling at a maximum speed; and the continued movement of the said blades carries them away from the hot stub yoi! molten material before they can exert any sensible chilling effect thereon, and before they can themselves be unduly heated thereby.

The gears ID3- |04, and |05 are so proportioned (as here shown the ratio of pitch diameters is 1:4) that each forward stroke of the piston ||4 revolves the shear arms through one complete revolution and brings another notch |40 in registry with the stop pawl |38. But in order to slow down the last half of the rotary movement-and thus gradually and quietly absorb the kinetic energy of the moving parts- I provide means for cutting off any further admission of the actuating fluid to the cylinder I I5, after the shear blades have met and severed the stream of glass, and .35

completing the forward stroke by the expansion of the uid then remaining in the piston chamber. This is effected by the disc valve and cam wheel assembly |23-I 24-I26-I 30. Immediately after passing the half way point in the movement of the gear |05, the cam wheel |30 is engaged by 'oneof the raised lobe portions on the collar I I0; and the disc valve |23 is thereby closed, and held closed until just before the completion of the forward stroke. In order to still further damp and retard the last half of the operative movement the cylinder head I I6 is provided with an inturned annular flange |50 which closely embraces the skirt of the piston II4; and when these parts engage each other, a mass of air is trapped and progressively compressed between the edge of the advancing skirt and the closed end of the annular head IIB;v the degree of this compression being regulatable by varying the size of the small vent opening I5I. The forward stroke of the piston-and particularly the last half of that stroke-is also resisted by the progressive expansion of the return springs I 41-I 41; and by properly proportioning the strength of these springs, the thickness of the piston skirt, and the size of the throttling vent I5I, with respect to the area of the main piston I I4 and the initial fluid pressure acting thereon, the moving parts may be brought to rest without shock or jar by the action of the stop pawl |38, which has at that time been allowed to returnto its engaging position by reason of the expansion and drop in pressure in the piston chambers.

The disc check valve |23 is held closed-even after the wheel |30 has run 0H from the raised lobe of the cam ring collar IIO-by the superior pressure in the conduit line |20, until the timer valve I2| shuts off this pressure, and opens the conduit to the atmosphere; after which the vsaid valve opens automatically and permits any resid- Cil 'of reciprocating single blade shear,.or,two blade scissor" shears. If, as here shown, the radius of actioni. e. the distance of the axis of rotation (o) to the axis of the owing stream (s-is. 'I inches; and if the angular speed of movement of each blade, at the time of cutting. is 600 R. P. M. R. P. 8.); then the time required to sever a stream' 2" in diameter is only slightly greater than 0.002 second; and the total time during which any part of either shear blade remains in contact with the glass is less than 0.005 second. Thesetimesarelessthantol/wofthe periods required for the performance of these same operations with the shear mechanisms now in use; and they can be still further reduced, if desired, by the use of a larger actuating piston I 4), or a higher actuating pressure. 'Ihe advantages of this superspeed type of cutting mechanism are therefore very marked; both in the elimination of any chilling or blurring of the molten glass at the plane of severance (shear marks), and in the avoidance of any sensible heating of the shear blades themselves, and the consequent lengthening of their enective life.

In order to secure the most emcient cutting action for long continued periods of use-and in order to provide for the quick replacement of either or both of the cutting elements when they have been accidentally injured or have become dull-I prefer to mount the shear blades (95 and f 96) on the arms, 91 and ll, in the manner illustrated in detail in Figs. IX and X. As there shown, the lower shear blade 00 is formed of a thin narrow plate of steel (preferably a nickel chromium, or a chrome manganese alloy) which is of L-shaped contour, and which is rigidly secured, in fixed position, tothe upturned end of the arms $8 by means of dowel pins and screws (|53). 'I'he upper shear blade $5 is a straight flat plate of similar material, and is supported von the outer end of the U-shaped arm IM by three vertically adjustable stud pins, ISB-|56- IBB, two of which (IBB-|58) engage respectively with a conical recess and a transverse groove in the lower face of the shear blade 95, and the third of which (|55) bears against the fiat surface thereof. 'I'he blade is held down on these pinsby a single centrally disposed clamp screw |51, and is thereby restrained against movement in any direction with respect to the member Ill; but the forked end of this member is pivotally connected to the head 91 (at |00) and is movable up and down with respect thereto. The range of downward movement is limited by the adjustable stop screw |8| which is threaded through the arm |54, and is normally held in engagement with the head 91 by the tension spring |02.

The various parts of this shear blade assembly are so adjusted that when the blades meet and cross each other, the upper blade will "ride up" on the lower one (this being permitted by the pivotal connection between the two rigid members |54 and 91) and will be held in yielding spring wma maman by the im m. 'ro

portions. it-lll, of each shear blade are ybeveled (ssbestshownintheenlargedcrosssectional viewotl'ig.x11):andtheuppe`r face of the lower shear/blade I0 is crowned slightly (as' shownin an exaggeratedscaleinllig. Xn). The upper face of the other shear 'blade Il is also recessed, or cut away. on those-portions back of the cutting edge (as at |04) vin order to prevent a wiping contact of this portion with the end of the severed stub of glass.

The enlarged central pordons of the shear blade supports, I1 and Il. are held in elastic pressure contact with each other--or more moperly stated with the rolling velements of an interposed ball bearing-by means of an adjustable spring III, which is interpodbetween a thrust collar i and a lock nut |01 on the lower end of the central shaft ill; and this spring also serves to keep the rotating sleeve il! and thev attached pinion Ill seated tightly against their end bearings in and on the supporting frame member III. All of the rotating parts'whichcarrythe shear blades are thus held against any relative vertical displacementexcept such as is intentionally provided by the pivot connection between the faciiitate this crossing movement the advancingcorner.

members l1 and Ill-and a clean uniform cutting action, which is not affected by the wear between the contacting faces of the shear blades, is thus assured.

The reciprocable bell member B may be readily lifted out of the forehearth by disconnecting the air line and stack flue connection 2| and 23, uncoupling the union `ioints in the NPG lines Il and 1li, and removing the pintle pin M: and then raising the entire cross head assembly 24-25- 26-21 etc.. by means -of two cables |1l|1l that are attached to a suitable hoisting mechanism (not here shown). The upward movement of the cross head carriage will automatically disengage the forked end of the walking beam Il from the piston rod head 8l: and the removal and replacement of the suspended bell (B) may be effected withouty disturbing any of the various adjustments which have been previously described. Y

The shaft 4l which actuates the timer valve mechanisms, 41-40, Irl-|22, and also serves to rotate the. bell member B-is driven, through suitable reduction gearing, by a variable speed motor M, that is controlled by a manually operable rheostat R.. If the feeder is to be'used with a forming press (or press and blow) machineof the usual character. the latter should be operated in synchronism with the formation and severance of successive mold charges; and this may be done either by a mechanical connection between the shaft 49 and the operating mechanism of the forming machine, or by the provision of an additional timer valve device (similar to that indicated at l1) for pneumatically actuating the said mechanism. The construction of these timer valve devices. and the manner in which they may be'used for the purposes indicated. are'so well known to those skilled in this art that no description of them is necessary.

Various other details of construction, which are illustrated in the drawings, but which may not have been specifically referredto or described. will be readily understood. and if necessary elaborated. by glass house engineers: and with the above disclosures as a guide, those familiar with other types of glass feeder apparatus can readily design alternative and equivalent forms of conaoaaavs l '7 struction which will operatein accordance with principles herelnbefore explained, and which will embody, in whole or in part, as may be desired, the features of my present improvements. The accompanying drawings illustrate only one of various structural assemblies which I have designed for the purpose of practicing my invention and the feeder therein disclosed forms the subject matter of and is claimed in the aforesaid application Serial No. 653,081; and the invention itself is therefore to be limited only as indicatedA by the language and the scope of the appended claims.

I desire it to be understood that I have devised various shearing structures, and various shearing procedures for severing a continuously ilowing stream of molten glass to produce Well formed mold charges and that such mechanisms and procedures form the subject matter of and are claimed in copending applications for Patents Serial Numbers 701,635 iiled December 9, 1933; 702,346 illed December 14, '1933; 709,597 filed February 3, 1934; and 718,359 illed March` 31, 1934, and all of which structurally and functionally distinguish from the features herein claimed.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by 'Letters Patent is:

1. A shear mechanism for severing measured charges of molten glass from an issuing stream, comprising opposed shear blades, mounted to revolve about a common axis, means for moving said blades in 'opposite directions through approximately a complete revolution so that their cutting edges pass each other within the coni'lnes of such stream, means for bringing said blades to rest at the end of a complete revolution, and means for holding such blades stationary at a point remote from said stream.

2. A shear mechanism for severing measure charges of molten glass from a mass of molten glass suspended from a glass submerged orice, comprising opposed shear blades, blade carrying arms each mounted to revolve about an axis, means for releasably locking said arms in a xed positionwith said blades remote from such oriiice, and means consisting of a motor mechanism, for periodically revolving said arms in opposite directions and for accelerating the motion of said blades while moving toward the axis of said flow oriilce and then decelerating such motion and bringing said blades to rest at a point remote from said ilow orice.

3. A shear mechanism for severing charges of molten glass from a suspended mass of such glass, comprising opposed shear blades, each mounted for rotation about an established axis and through the axis of said mass, means for locking said blades in a position remote from such mass, means for dlsengaging said locking means, and means for rotating each blade through a complete revolution back to such position of rest.

4. A shear mechanism for severing charges vof molten glass from a mass of such glass, comprising opposed shear blades, each mounted for rotation about a common axis, means for holding v saidblades in a`l fixed position remote from said glass, comprising opposed shear blades, each mounted for rotation about an established axis, means for locking said blades in a position remote from such mass, pressure responsive means for disengaging said locking means, pressure responsive means for l-rotating each blade through a complete revolution back to such remote position, and means operable during such rotation of said blades for occasioning a drop in the actuating pressure delivered to said second named pressure responsive means.

6. A shear mechanism for lseveringcharges of molten glass from a mass of such glass comprising opposed shear blades each rotatably mounted on a common axis, means for locking said blades against rotation, means for disengaging and holding said locking means in inoperative position, means for periodically rotating said blades 4 ating said motors to disengage said locking means and rotate said blades through one revolution.

8. A shear mechanism for severing charges of molten glass from a suspended mass of such glass comprising opposed shear blades each mountedl for rotation about a common axis, means for locking said blades in xed position remote from said mass, a motor for disengaging and holding said locking means in inoperative position, a motor for rotating said blades through one complete revolution, means for periodically operating said motors to disengage said locking means and rotate said blades, andy means operable as said blades are moving for reversing the motor of said blade-locking means.

9. A shear mechanism for severing charges of molten glass from a suspended mass comprising opposed shear blades each mounted for rotation about a common axis, means for locking said blades in a position remote from said mass, presf sure responsive means for disengaging said locking means, pressure responsive means for rotating said blades through a complete revolution, a pressure inlet duct leading to each of said pressure responsive means, and means operable during the'travel of said blades for closing said inlet duct.

10. A shear mechanism for severing charges of molten glass from a suspended mass of such glass comprising a pair of opposed shear blades each mounted for rotation about a common axis, a. latch for locking said blades against rotation and in a fixed position remote from saidmass, a pressure responsive motor connected to said latch, a pressure responsive motor for rotating said blades through one revolution, means for periodically delivering pressure to said motors to disengage said latch and rotate saidjshears, and means operable prior to the end of a complete revolution of said shear blades for closing saidl pressure delivery means.

1l. A shear mechanism for severing charges of molten glass from a suspended mass of such glass comprising a pair of opposed shear blades each mounted for rotation about alcommon axis, a

Annu-, A

blades through one revolution, an inlet duct'leading to said motors, means for periodically delivering pressure to said motors through said duct to disengage said latch and rotate'said shears, and means operable prior to the end of a complete revolution of said shear blades for closing said inlet duct.

12. A shear mechanism for severing charges of molten glass from a suspended mass of such glass, comprising opposed shear blades. each mounted for rotation about anestablished axis,

means i'or locking said blades in 4a position of rest remote from such mass, means (or disengaging and holding said locking means in inoperative position, Ameans for rotating each blade through a complete revolution back to such position of rest, and means dependent on the position of said blades for releasing said locking means.

13. A shear mechanism ior severing charges of molten glass from a mass of such glass, comprising opposed shear blades, each mounted for rotation about a common axis, means for holding said blades in a position-of rest remote from said mass, means for moving and retaining said holding means'in inoperative position, means for rotating each such blade from such position of rest and back to such position, while such holding means is disengaged, means operably associated with said rotating means for releasing said blade holding means, and'means for adjusting the vertical position of such blades with relation to such mass.

V14. A shear mechanism comprising relatively mounted shear blades, means for releasably locking said blades in a nxed position, means for disengaging and holding said blade locking means in an inoperative position, means for rotating said blades to move the same to cutting position, means associated with said rotating means and operable as said blades move i'or retarding the speed of rotation of said blades, and means dependent upon -the position of said blades for releasing said blade locking means.

15. A shear mechanism comprising coaxially mounted shear blades, means for releasably locking said blades in a fixed position. pressure responsive means for disengaging and holding said blade locking means in inoperative position, pressure responsive means for rotating said blades in opposite directions through one revolution, and means operable during the movement of said blades for retarding the speed oi' rotation of said blades.

16. A shear mechanism comprising coaxially mounted shear blades, a train of gears associated with said blades, a bar yieldingly engaging and locking said gears in a ilxed position, means for withdrawing said bar from said gears and holding it in inoperative position, means operable when said bar is withdrawn from the gears for driving said gears to turn the blades, and means dependent on the rotation oi' said gears ior releasing said bar to relock the gears in a i'ixed position.

17. A shear mechanism comprising coaxially mounted shear blades, a bar yieldingly locking said blades in a fixed position, pressure responsive means for moving said bar to release said blades, pressure responsive means for rotating sive means, and means operable as said blades move in response to said blade actuating means for closing said inlet duct to permit said bar to re-engage and lock said blades in i'ixedlposition.

18. A method of severing mold charges oi' molten glass from a suspended stream of such glass by means of two opposed shear blades,

which comprises moving said blades in opposite directions so that each passes the other within the contines of such stream and whilemoving continuously to a position oi' rest remote from such stream, retaining-each such blade at its position oi' rest until initiating the next cutting operation, and in controlling the frequency oi' such- .cutting operations by varying the duration of the periods of rest of said blades.

19. A shear mechanism for severing charges of molten giassiro'm asuspended stream of such glass, comprising tw opposed blades, means for simultaneously .moving said blades in opDOite directions such that each blade moves in one continuous motion through the axis of such stream and to a position of rest remote therefrom, and means for timing theV operation of said blade moving means by varying the period during which said blades are maintained at such positions of rest.

20. A shear mechanism for severing charges ot molten glass from a suspended stream of such glass, comprising two opposed *bladesr means for simultaneously moving said blades in opposite directions such that each blade moves in one continuous motion through the axis of said stream and to a position oi rest remote therefrom, means for holding such blades in such positions of rest, and means for timing the operation of said blade operating means by varying the period during which said blades are held in such positions of rest.

21. A shear mechanism i'or severing charges of molten glass fromy a suspended stream of such glass, comprising two opposed blades, means for simultaneously moving lsaid blades in opposite directions such that each-blade moves in one 'continuous motion through the axis of mid stream and to a position oi' rest remote therefrom, means for releasably holding such blades in such positions of rest, means for operating said blade holding means and means for timing the operation of said blade moving means.

-22. A'shear mechanism, comprising opposed shear blades, means operatively connecting said blades, an overrunning device for actuating said v means, means i'or moving said device in two directions, and means for locking said first mentioned means during the movement of said overrunning device in one direction.

23. A shear mechanism, comprising opposed shear blades, an over-running device for actuating said blades, means for moving said device in two directions, and means tor holding said blades during the movement oi' said device in one direction.

24. A shear mechanism, comprising opposed shear blades, ratchet and pawl elements for actuating said blades, means for moving one of said ratchet and pawl elements forward andv back, a lock i'or locking said blades against motion during backward movement of such element, and means for moving said lock to an inoperative position prior to the blade actuating movement of such element.

25. A shear mechanism, comprising a pair of rotatably mounted shear blades, a reciprocating motor ,for rotating said blades, and an overrunning device between said motor and said blades.

26. A shear mechanism, comprising a pair of opposed rotatably mounted shear blades, a reciprocating motor for rotating said blades, and a ratchet and pawl connection between said blades and said motor.

27. A shear mechanism, comprising a pair of opposed rotatably mounted shear blades, a reciprocating motor for rotating said blades, and means for holding said blades stationary during one movement of said motor.

28. In a glass shear, means for moving a shear blade at a high speed through a stream of molten glass, means for retarding said blade after it has passed, through said stream, a latch for arresting the motion oi.' said blade at a point remote from said stream, and means for periodically releasing said latch.

29. In a glass shear, a shear blade for severing charges of molten glass from a mass of the same, a motor for moving said blade to sever such a charge from such mass, a latch for locking said blade in a position remote from such mass, means acting while said latch is in blade locking position for rendering said motor capable o! moving said blade, and means for withdrawing said latch to release said blade to the action of said motor.

30. In a glass shear, a shear blade for severing charges ot molten glass from a mass of the same, a motor for moving said blade to sever such a charge from said mass, a latch for locking said blade in a position remote from such mass, means acting while said latch is in blade locking position for rendering said motor capable of moving said blade, means for withdrawing said latch to release said blade to the action of said motor, and means for retarding the motion of said blade after it has severed a charge 4U from such mass.

3l. In a shear mechanism for severing charges of molten glass from a mass of the same, a shear blade, a motor for moving said blade to sever a charge of glass from such mass, a releasable latch for locking said blade in a position remote from said mass, and means for delivering energizing force to said motor while said latch is in blade locking position.

32. In a shear mechanism for severing charges of molten glass from a mass of the same, a shear blade, a motor for moving said blade to sever a charge oi' glass from such mass, a releasable latch for locking said blade in a position remote from said mass, means for delivering energizing force to said motor while said latch is in blade locking position, and means for retarding the speed of said motor after said blade has severed a charge from such mass and as it moves toward the latch locking position.

33. In a shear mechanism for severing charges of molten glass from a mass of the same, a shear blade, means for moving said blade to sever a charge oi.' glass from such mass including a fluid energized motor, a releasable latch for locking said blade in a position remote from said mass, and means for delivering motive fluid to said motor while said latch is in blade locking position.

34. In a shear mechanism for severing charges of molten glass from a mass of the same, a shear blade, means including a uid energized motor for moving said blade to sever a charge of glass from said mass, a releasable latch for locking said blade in a position remote from said mass, means for delivering .motive iluid to said motor while said latch is in blade locking position, and means for moving said latch to a blade releasing position.

35. In a shear mechanism for severing charges of molten glass from a mass of the same, a shear blade', means for moving said blade to sever a charge of glass from such mass including a fluid energized motor, a releasable latch for locking said blade in a position remote from said mass, means for delivering motive fluid to said motor while said latch is in blade locking position, and means for retarding the speed of said motor after said blade has severed a charge from such mass and as it moves toward the latch locking position.

36. In a shear mechanism for severing charges of molten glass from a mass of the same, a' shear blade, means for moving said blade to sever a charge of glass from such mass including a iluid energized motor, a releasable latch for locking said blade in a position remote from said mass, means for delivering motive uid to said motor while said latch is in blade locking position, means for moving said latch to a blade releasing position, and means for retarding the speed o! said motor after said blade has severed a charge from such mass and as it moves toward the latch locking position.

37. A shear mechanism for severing successive mold charges from a flowing stream of molten glass comprising opposed shear blades mounted for movement in opposite directions, means for simultaneously moving said blades through said stream and to a point remote therefrom and for accelerating the movement of said blades as they approach the conilnes of said stream and thereafter for decelerating such movement until each said blade is brought to rest, and means for holding said blades in such position of rest.

38. A shear mechanism for severing successive mold charges from a suspended stream o! molten glass comprising rotatably mounted shear blades, means for holding such blades in a posi- -tion ot rest remote from said stream, means for releasing said holding means. and means operable while said holding means are released for rotating said blades to move the same across each other in cutting engagement within the confines of said stream and back to such position oi' rest.

FRANK L. O. WADBWORTH. 

